SkiBoyNY
SkiBoyNY
  • 65
  • 907 852
Most Expensive Ski Hotel in South America? Hotel Portillo: What You Get
Hotel Portillo in Chile is probably the most expensive hotel at a ski resort in South America. In 2024, prices for a single room are as high as $1,400 USD per night! That's a big increase from 2023 prices. Portillo is small ski and snowboard resort, but it has some of the most difficult in bounds terrain that I've seen in South America, and only one hotel - Hotel Portillo. So what do you get if you pay those prices?
Hotel Portillo is an all-inclusive resort. So while $1,400 is certainly a hefty nightly rate, you don't have to buy chairlift tickets. You don't have to pay for breakfast, lunch and dinner (except soft drinks and alcohol). So the effective nightly rate is significantly lower.
Let's start with the downsides. First, Hotel Portillo was built 75 years ago. So the walls are thin and the radiators occasionally make noise. So you may want to bring ear plugs for when you're trying to sleep. In the dining room, wherever you sit the first day -- that is where you have to sit for the rest of the vacation. So choose your table wisely. Some people may not like the check-in experience because everyone arrives on the same day at approximately the same time. I didn't find it to be that bad. If you prefer a quick lunch, you may not like the lunch option here because it tended to take me 1.5 hours, and I ate quickly. There are also no TVs in the hotel rooms.
Now the upsides. If you stay for a week, the hotel can provide a free transfer to and from the airport. There is one formal dining room, and the meals are surprisingly good for an isolated ski resort. It's not a Michelin star restaurant, but I was impressed by how good the food was. I never left the dining room hungry. The staff is very friendly, and if you don't speak Spanish like me, there were no problems because most of the staff spoke English. The rooms in the hotel have been renovated and are much nicer than what you may read about them in older online reviews. If you're traveling from North America or Europe, you'll arrive at the airport early in the morning and leave late at night, so you can squeeze in two extra days on the mountain compared to the average week-long trip in the northern hemisphere. The hotel has a lot of activities, and is great for kids. The view from the hot tub is unbeatable.
So is it worth the price? Well, for those who can't stomach paying such a high nightly no matter how many other costs are covered and therefore eliminated, it may never be worth it. For others, it may depend on how good the snow is, because in my opinion, Portillo is such a unique and special experience in and of itself that if you add tons of snow on top of that, it can easily be worth the price.
Переглядів: 3 765

Відео

Ski Chamonix: Remote Work VLOG
Переглядів 8546 місяців тому
My final week of working remotely in Europe to increase my ski season takes place in Chamonix, France. I've been here before and my major criticism is the layout of the mountain. It's split up, so you have to drive to different bases to enjoy all of the terrain. But I'll discuss that in a later video. Here, I'm just trying to find some fun runs because the week started out warm with slushy snow...
La Plagne & Les Arcs: Remote Working VLOG from Paradiski
Переглядів 5776 місяців тому
Paradiski, France is the third largest ski and snowboard resort in the world. It's two ski resorts combined - Les Arcs and La Plagne. I'm here for my third week of working remotely from Europe to increase my ski season without using vacation time. But I'm actually using vacation this week. Why would I do that on a trip where I’m working remotely to preserve vacation time? First, because my work...
Tignes-Val d'Isère: Crazy Après-Ski and Remote Working VLOG
Переглядів 1,8 тис.6 місяців тому
If you go to Europe to work remotely and increase your number of days on the mountain during your ski or snowboard season, and you visit Tignes/Val d’I’sere in France, you probably won’t be able to avoid the apres-ski scene. It’s everywhere! La Folie Douce is the main scene during the day, up on the mountain in Val d’Isere. You can hear the music on the mountain before you even ski or snowboard...
Vialattea (Turin): Ski More with Remote Work VLOG
Переглядів 9276 місяців тому
I'm returning to Europe to work remotely and take advantage of the time difference from the east coast of the U.S. to get more days on the mountain during the ski season without using any vacation days. And this time, instead of posting videos that cover tips about doing it yourself, I'm going to post a weekly ski VLOG that may provide a better sense of what it's like to work remotely and ski o...
Three Words: EPIC. ALASKA. HELI-SKIING.
Переглядів 2,6 тис.7 місяців тому
Heli-skiing in the apex of skiing and snowboarding. Fresh powder snow on every run. No need to wait in lines at the chairlift. You go wherever you want. And if you add in Alaska as the location? It's hard to get better than that. I went on a trip to ski at Alyeska Resort outside of Anchorage. Alyseka is located by Girdwood, Alaska. There is a hel-iskiing company named Chugach Powder Guides that...
Alyeska: Top Reasons to Visit or Skip it
Переглядів 8 тис.8 місяців тому
Alyeska Resort is a ski and snowboard destination 40 minutes outside of Anchorage, Alaska. Here are top reasons to plan a ski or snowboard trip there, along with top reasons not to visit Alyeska. Reasons to Visit: 1) It's Alaska. Skiing or snowboarding the rugged and untamed mountains of Alaska is a dream. Alaska has the allure of being the last frontier. It's a bucket list item. 2) It's Not th...
Tips for the Sellaronda Loop - Dolomiti Superski
Переглядів 9 тис.9 місяців тому
The Sellaronda is a mountain formation in the Dolomites surrounded by Dolomiti Superski, the world's second largest ski and snowboard resort. Dolomiti Superski is comprised of several interconnected resorts like Cortina d'Empezzo, Alta Badia, Val Gardena, Arabba, and Val di Fassa. This interconnectivity enables you to spend the day skiing or snowboarding around the Sellaronda. If you go clockwi...
Are These Ski Slopes Really "Epic?" NatGeo's 100 Slopes of a Lifetime
Переглядів 9579 місяців тому
My ski buddy gave me a book published by National Geographic that details their selection of the 100 ski slopes "of a lifetime" throughout the world. Four of the slopes were located at resorts I had already planned to visit this year: (1) Lake Run at Portillo, Chile, (2) Powder Bowl at Crystal Mountain, Washington, (3) Cirque Bowl at Mount Bachelor, Oregon, and (4) Gran Risa at Alta Badia in Do...
[French Version] Discover Zermatt through Loïc Nottet’s “Mr/Mme”
Переглядів 26510 місяців тому
J'ai déjà posté une vidéo contenant des conseils sur le ski ou le snowboard à Zermatt, en Suisse. Alors, à mon retour l’année dernière, j’ai décidé d’essayer quelque chose de complètement différent. J'ai filmé des scènes en ville et sur les pistes de Zermatt et les ai mises sur « Monsieur/Mme » de Loïc Nottet. Loïc Nottet est un chanteur belge à la voix absolument incroyable. “Mr/Mme” est une c...
Explore Zermatt through Loïc Nottet's "Mr/Mme"
Переглядів 34610 місяців тому
This is a bit of an experimental ski and snowboard video. I was in Zermatt again and decided simply to film scenes in the town and on the slopes and put them all together with a song that you would normally never think of when it comes to skiing, snowboarding, AND ski resorts. Loïc Nottet's "Mr/Mme." Loïc Nottet is a Belgian singer with an absolutely incredible voice. It's a powerful song that ...
Ski Arlberg (St. Anton): Pros & Cons, and Epic Pass
Переглядів 19 тис.10 місяців тому
Ski Arlberg (St. Anton): Pros & Cons, and Epic Pass
Andermatt: Pros & Cons and Epic Pass
Переглядів 10 тис.10 місяців тому
Andermatt: Pros & Cons and Epic Pass
Ski More Without Using Vacation Time: Tips for European Remote Working
Переглядів 2,1 тис.10 місяців тому
Ski More Without Using Vacation Time: Tips for European Remote Working
What Keeps You Skiing? For Me, It's Childhood Memories. Nostalgia.
Переглядів 33411 місяців тому
What Keeps You Skiing? For Me, It's Childhood Memories. Nostalgia.
What's it Like to Paraski Val Thorens?
Переглядів 55011 місяців тому
What's it Like to Paraski Val Thorens?
Tips for the World's Largest Ski Resort: Les 3 Vallées, France
Переглядів 74 тис.11 місяців тому
Tips for the World's Largest Ski Resort: Les 3 Vallées, France
How to Self-Film the "Pass-By" Ski Shot: Insta360
Переглядів 3,7 тис.Рік тому
How to Self-Film the "Pass-By" Ski Shot: Insta360
5 Tips for Skiing Mt. Bachelor
Переглядів 7 тис.Рік тому
5 Tips for Skiing Mt. Bachelor
Is Stevens Pass or Crystal Mountain Better for You?
Переглядів 8 тис.Рік тому
Is Stevens Pass or Crystal Mountain Better for You?
Film Yourself Skiing with Insta360 X3: Shadow and Blind Spot Problems
Переглядів 3,5 тис.Рік тому
Film Yourself Skiing with Insta360 X3: Shadow and Blind Spot Problems
Ski Zermatt: Mountain Layout & Where to Stay
Переглядів 57 тис.Рік тому
Ski Zermatt: Mountain Layout & Where to Stay
I Flew Emirates Direct to Ski from the US!
Переглядів 674Рік тому
I Flew Emirates Direct to Ski from the US!
Ski Portillo's Slopes: What to Expect
Переглядів 9 тис.Рік тому
Ski Portillo's Slopes: What to Expect
Should You Ski or Snowboard Portillo, Chile?
Переглядів 2,8 тис.Рік тому
Should You Ski or Snowboard Portillo, Chile?
Should You Ski Valle Nevado or La Parva, Chile?
Переглядів 16 тис.Рік тому
Should You Ski Valle Nevado or La Parva, Chile?
Valle Nevado: What it's Like for a Day
Переглядів 27 тис.Рік тому
Valle Nevado: What it's Like for a Day
Should You Ski Chile or Argentina?
Переглядів 27 тис.Рік тому
Should You Ski Chile or Argentina?
What is Verbier like? One Snowboarder. One Skier. Nothing but footage.
Переглядів 672Рік тому
What is Verbier like? One Snowboarder. One Skier. Nothing but footage.
Hors Piste Skiing in Verbier - First Time
Переглядів 17 тис.Рік тому
Hors Piste Skiing in Verbier - First Time

КОМЕНТАРІ

  • @jplflyer
    @jplflyer 5 годин тому

    I'm entirely old school. I still use my Olin Mark IVs I bought in 1980 (high school for me). I've rented new skis a couple of times, and I hated them. This old dog doesn't want to learn new tricks. If I could buy brand new straight skies, I probably would -- these have a lot of years on them. But I have a style of skiing I prefer, and I just don't want to change that.

  • @shelleydavis4232
    @shelleydavis4232 17 годин тому

    Such a helpful video - thank you!

  • @CoSavy
    @CoSavy День тому

    Beginning of the end folks! Unfortunate but true!

  • @lieferiksen
    @lieferiksen День тому

    Great video! Having done both, what would you pick, Arlberg vs Verbier?

    • @SkiBoyNY.
      @SkiBoyNY. День тому

      Thanks! Great and very tough question. I'd return to either in a heartbeat, but if I could only return to one once, I might choose Verbier. It's larger but seems less spread out, so you spend less time "commuting" across the resort. As a result, there are less bases, and they tend to be larger. But St. Anton definitely had more of an apres-ski scene than what I experienced at Verbier, and the spread out layout may actually make it feel larger than Verbier since you spend time getting to different areas of the resort. That itself can be a reason to return - you feel like you're at an incredibly large resort.

    • @lieferiksen
      @lieferiksen День тому

      @@SkiBoyNY. Thanks for the response - Verbier was the direction we were leaning. FYI as a Colorado skier looking to dip toes into Epic Pass in Europe, your videos have been very helpful. Keep it up 👌

  • @sebaghini
    @sebaghini 2 дні тому

    Chile 🇨🇱🇦🇶🦭🐎🐧🗻☔🗿🍷

  • @TheodoreAnderson
    @TheodoreAnderson 2 дні тому

    Great video. I am currently in Peru now, looking at going to Valle Nevado. Do you recommend waiting til 2025 to go? I looked a few days ago and it's still open until oct 20. Was thinking of going from oct 18-20. I'd also be renting gear / clothing this time since it's last minute.

    • @SkiBoyNY.
      @SkiBoyNY. 23 години тому

      The rental shops should be open if the resort is open, so the bigger concern may be the snow quality this late in the season. If you're looking for a last fix on the snow before the summer, then definitely go for it. But if you want to experience Valle Nevado at its best, maybe wait until 2025. The downside with that is that good snow is never a guarantee, so you don't know what 2025 will be like, and it'll probably be more expensive next year than this late in the season 2024.

  • @AlfredoR02
    @AlfredoR02 5 днів тому

    Did both countries around 4 years an even thought Chile, is way better. Resort, accesibility, variety, infraestructure, also in Chile people respect line and are more organized overall, it amazing!

  • @chipius
    @chipius 6 днів тому

    NOT BAD, PERO LAS MEJORES CANCHAS ESTAN EN LA PARTE ALTA HACIA TRES PUNTAS, PERO SON DE ANDARIVELES DE ARRASTRE Y CUANDO LLEJAS ARRIBA NO TIENEN PENDIENTE Y SI ANDAS EN SNOWBOARD ES MUY CANSADOR ESTAR SACANDOSE Y PONIENDOSE LAS FIJACIONES

  • @nickmatich5208
    @nickmatich5208 8 днів тому

    About time you Arab sheep. How long will it take you to get a democratic Govt that decides to work with Israel?

  • @callebergkvist58
    @callebergkvist58 10 днів тому

    people like you are one of the reasons that gets people killed in the mountains, thats serious avalanche terrain with glaciers and crevasses as well, fkn stupid to go there without the proper gear. I almost got caught in an avalanche in that exact same spot because of a guy just like you, no knowledge of the terrain, no knowledge on how to behave in that terrain and no gear to fix their potentially deadly mistakes.

  • @cristianomurbachpires1575
    @cristianomurbachpires1575 12 днів тому

    I'm from Brazil and have been in both countries ans sure can say Argentina is way way better. I'm not saying that Chile is bad or something. Santiago is amazing but for that snow and ski feeling, Bariloche, Vila la Angostura and San Martin de Los andes have my heart. I used to travel to Argentina every year. But I'm curious to know Nevados de Chillan and Pucon, in Chile :)

  • @lostlinus3324
    @lostlinus3324 12 днів тому

    Going with my friends there for the first time in february this video just made me even more excited 😅

  • @mdesign8675
    @mdesign8675 13 днів тому

    This is superb. Exactly the sort of information I was looking for. Thank you.

  • @billyflips
    @billyflips 14 днів тому

    can you rent a snowboard there?

  • @skicoachmarty-verbier
    @skicoachmarty-verbier 15 днів тому

    Dude, well made video and cool to watch but you shouldn't be doing this alone! did you have avalanche kit on you? you crossed glaciers filled with crevasses and proper got away with it this time 😅 enjoy the off piste but you should be a bit more careful when you do. Stay safe 🤞

  • @bluebirdski
    @bluebirdski 15 днів тому

    Making a review of A-Basin. Good to know they're winning in the burger department. I fell in love with Copper, but need to make it to Keystone and Breck'.

  • @aspiradorademerca6321
    @aspiradorademerca6321 15 днів тому

    Catedral is the biggest in South America, you never get bored there, lot of places new to ski with different slopes and types of snow

  • @mice1269
    @mice1269 15 днів тому

    Any recommendations on best way to fly into St. anton and transit from airport to lodging?

  • @jlasf
    @jlasf 16 днів тому

    I was here about 30 years ago and it doesn't look it has changed at all. It felt like being on a cruise ship - you saw the same people at meals, around the hotel and on the slopes. It's really a unique experience. I was on a business trip to BA, so I could go there. I don't think it's worth flying from the US for this.

  • @rafaelalbertotorres8070
    @rafaelalbertotorres8070 17 днів тому

    I was lucky to do it in BC. IT WAS EPIC-ER!

  • @kowkje
    @kowkje 19 днів тому

    Leuke video met leuke edits en goede informatie 👌🏼

  • @azcorbebeitia
    @azcorbebeitia 20 днів тому

    Hi, even though El Colorado has fewer advanced ski/board slopes, the ones it does have are better than those at La Parva or Valle Nevado.

    • @SkiBoyNY.
      @SkiBoyNY. 20 днів тому

      I totally agree. The advanced slopes at El Colorado that border Valle Nevado are my favorites among all three resorts.

  • @pushitsomewhereelse
    @pushitsomewhereelse 22 дні тому

    At Valley Nevado right now, your videos were extremely helpful!🙏🏼 hitting foxtrot had amazing views!

    • @SkiBoyNY.
      @SkiBoyNY. 21 день тому

      @@pushitsomewhereelse I'm jealous! Hope you have an awesome time there!

  • @erjoukyrie2365
    @erjoukyrie2365 22 дні тому

    always Argentina.

  • @AbnerLi
    @AbnerLi 22 дні тому

    Thanks for sharing the information, this is very helpful!!

  • @ionelamarinau
    @ionelamarinau 23 дні тому

    what did u used for filming >?

  • @babeena_gt_3645
    @babeena_gt_3645 28 днів тому

    The fact that they don't need snow machines makes it better than the rest

  • @t1z0ne
    @t1z0ne Місяць тому

    Los dos tiene lo suyo no mas peleas entre hermanos!

  • @FaithandActiondotnet
    @FaithandActiondotnet Місяць тому

    Wow, really great video! I've mapped all that out on Google but it looks a fair bit more complicated than I thought. What a superlative blessing to be able to experience those places. You should say what time of year you were there so we can assess the snow/timeframe. Thanks a lot, that place is really amazing!!

    • @SkiBoyNY.
      @SkiBoyNY. Місяць тому

      Thanks! I was there at the end of February. It's always hard to guess when snow conditions will be the best, but without any fresh snow that week, it was still very good that time of year.

  • @jtcann94
    @jtcann94 Місяць тому

    This year, I’ve skied Valle Nevado and La Parva multiple days (20+) from top to bottom, and having a season pass for both is pure magic. The combined skiable areas make a skiing dream in Chile come true like never before. This season has been incredible, and I highly recommend getting a season pass for next year. Valle Nevado is even planning on buying El Colorado, which would take the experience to another level!

    • @SkiBoyNY.
      @SkiBoyNY. Місяць тому

      I'm totally on the same page about skiing the combined resorts. I did two days this August skiing all three the same day and like you say, it was a different level. Will post a video about it in a few months!

  • @igetu2c
    @igetu2c Місяць тому

    Gotta get the mouth of the Cottonwoods by 6:45 am on a POW day. Then have a nice drive up and relax in lodge at the base. At about 8:15 am head out and stand in line for Gadzoom. Skip the tram. Gad Valley usually opens earlier. Nice plan NY SkiBoy... skip lunch so you can get more vert

  • @saad-ski
    @saad-ski Місяць тому

    ua-cam.com/video/nYBqiRwZ5EA/v-deo.htmlsi=jynWtabzOiFfahIg Experience skiing in this magical place.

  • @nikolatesla5553
    @nikolatesla5553 Місяць тому

    I'm from Seattle. Actually North of Seattle in Lynnwood. Crystal is much better, except Stevens Pass was 1 hour closer, so I skiied Stevens 10 times more. But when I lived in downtown Seattle, I always chose to ski Crystal even though it was still a half an hour longer drive. The video uses SeaTac for the starting point. But that is a half an hour South of Seattle

  • @mmakipf
    @mmakipf Місяць тому

    I went both, and I liked Cerro Catedoral much more than Valle Nevado. The infrastructure at Cerro Catedoral is so much more developed than Valle Nevado. It was painful to take the T-bar lifts at Valle Nevado, and the gondola there is a real design mistake. I got bored at Valle Nevado much sooner than at Carro Catedoral. I also liked to stay in Bariloche, a beautiful city by beautiful lake and mountains. Restaurants in the city were really good. There are so many options for room and board, and the hotel we stayed in Bariloche was very cheap. A public bus to Carro Catedoral was fine, and it was only about $2. Taxi was about $20. No need of having a rental car.

    • @SkiBoyNY.
      @SkiBoyNY. Місяць тому

      Thanks for adding you input!

  • @johnsmith2650
    @johnsmith2650 Місяць тому

    this is a really good video

  • @matthewduncan9405
    @matthewduncan9405 Місяць тому

    LOL no. Modern ski destroys old tech.

  • @garyg3617
    @garyg3617 Місяць тому

    Thank you for a great video. Very interesting stats on the various resorts. I have never skied in America. I live in the 3 Vallées, in the Belleville valley (Val Thorens valley).

    • @SkiBoyNY.
      @SkiBoyNY. Місяць тому

      @@garyg3617 Thanks! Yes, compared to any North American resort, Les 3 Vallées are huge! You're very lucky to live there!

  • @igorsilva6992
    @igorsilva6992 Місяць тому

    Not Powdery? hahaha, come to Australia to see not powdery...

  • @TheParamike
    @TheParamike Місяць тому

    Aweomes vid.. Heading there at the end of Jan 2025 . Doing a snow dance

    • @SkiBoyNY.
      @SkiBoyNY. Місяць тому

      @@TheParamike Hope you get great snow!

  • @garylouiepalma
    @garylouiepalma Місяць тому

    Very nice place ,, and video 😊

  • @garylouiepalma
    @garylouiepalma Місяць тому

    How many hour you take plane from U.S. to that place?

  • @garylouiepalma
    @garylouiepalma Місяць тому

    Wow that nice place ah

  • @garylouiepalma
    @garylouiepalma Місяць тому

    Too much far this place in chille south america

  • @stevenpeterson659
    @stevenpeterson659 Місяць тому

    Been to both more than once and despite the views at Cerro Catedral, there is no doubt IMO better to go to Chile.

  • @JuanPablo-vw7ko
    @JuanPablo-vw7ko Місяць тому

    Great and very accurate video ! I'm from Argentina now going to VN for skiing. This season, and due to currency fluctuations, is more affordable going to Chile.

    • @SkiBoyNY.
      @SkiBoyNY. Місяць тому

      Thanks so much! You'll have a great time at VN. It has great snow this time of year compared to past years at this time.

  • @michaelruiz6735
    @michaelruiz6735 Місяць тому

    Thank You for your time and information is really helpful great videos

  • @robertocastro4403
    @robertocastro4403 Місяць тому

    Dude, GARGANTA (Throat) Not Garuanta! East aspect slopes in the morning. West aspect slopes in the afternoon...

  • @robertocastro4403
    @robertocastro4403 Місяць тому

    The name of the run is GARGANTA, not "Guaranta" and means Throat

  • @oscarf.estupinan870
    @oscarf.estupinan870 Місяць тому

    Fantástico!

  • @robertocastro4403
    @robertocastro4403 Місяць тому

    Doesn't matter what the paper said about terrain. El Colorado offers way better terrain for advanced skiers than La Parva and Valle Nevado. Best area in terms of terrain and snow bay far of the three areas is what you can see of El Colorado from Valle Nevado, Cono Este and Valle Olímpico of El Colorado is the envy of the other two ski areas, specially in a powder day. I worked as ski instructor 7 years in El Colorado and 7 years in Valle Nevado and have been skiing the three areas since I was a kid. If I have to chose to ski one of the three just for my own enjoyment, I will choose El Colorado with no any doubt. Now if I going to ski in Chile and have limited time, I will skip the three areas around Santiago and for no much travel time go straight to Portillo, where the real expert terrain is an where the world class skiers choose to go. I little about my background. I'm a ski instructor in Beaver Creek , Colorado for the last 26 years and have been skiing plenty in most of the most demanding ski areas in the west.